A sand filter septic system is a good option for wastewater treatment issues in any areas that have insufficient soil. Components of these systems include the septic tank itself, the sand filter, the pump chamber and the drain field. Septic system companies fill in the area with sand to make up for a lack of soil, often by using a large concrete box filled with sand. Above the sand is a layer of gravel with a series of small pipes.

Here’s a brief overview of how sand filter installation in Erie County, NY works and what you should know about them before installing one yourself.

How sand filter septic systems work

With a sand filter septic system, all of the wastewater that comes from a house enters the septic tank for treatment, just as it would in a standard septic system. Once it’s treated, the water gets pushed out into the sand filter through the series of pipes that runs through the area. That water gets discharged under low pressure, ensuring an even distribution of that wastewater throughout the sand bed.

While the wastewater comes through the pipes and over the sand bed, it also seeps down into the gravel and the sand located below it. This is where the water gets treated, in several different purification processes.

Aerobic microbes in the field might assimilate some of the nutrients in that wastewater. The sand allows for solids in that water to be properly filtered out. A chemical process results in contaminants sticking to the sand grains and allows for biological growth on top of the sand.

After the wastewater treatment process is complete, that water collects in a drain underneath the system, which then gets discharged by a pump back out into the drain field, which involves trenches filled with gravel, surrounding a series of additional pipes. The wastewater runs through these pipes out into the gravel, where it then slowly trickles down into the soil below.

Maintaining a sand filter septic system

Once you have a sand filter septic system installed, it’s important you keep it in good working order. You should never place impermeable materials on top of the system, as they will restrict the soil’s air supply, preventing effective treatment of the wastewater. Examples of such materials include brick, plastic and concrete.

You should also do your best to maintain good grass coverage over the top of the system. If you notice wet areas on top of the grass or smell odors emanating from the system, you should seek the assistance of a professional, as it’s possible the system is not properly filtering and draining.

Finally, be sure to practice good water conservation and try to balance your utilization of water in an average week.

For more information about sand filter installation in Erie County, NY and how they work, contact the team of professionals at Macken Services today. We look forward to informing you about the value of these systems and helping you with your project.